Expanded Outreach on Child Tax Credit and Affordable Connectivity Program

The White House hosted a virtual back to school workshop with its partners, including ACF, to request help with expanded outreach efforts for two programs to support families: the expanded Child Tax Credit (CTC), which provides payments to eligible families with children; and the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which helps eligible families access high-speed internet. This event provided valuable information on how states/local government agencies, school districts, and community or faith-based organizations can help families access these programs.

Child Tax Credit (CTC)

If families have not yet filed taxes to receive their full 2021 Child Tax Credit, there is still time. The deadline is October 17 – and they MUST file a tax return to receive the full CTC. Families need to be encouraged to file as soon as possible as the deadline is fast approaching. The website ChildTaxCredit.gov has valuable information on eligibility determination and locating free resources to help file for the credit. As a result of the American Rescue Plan, the CTC was increased and expanded in 2021, making most families eligible to receive the credit for their children. Qualifying families – those with children who had not turned 18 before the beginning of this year – can receive $3,000 to 3,600 per child, depending on their age.

Families who already received part of their CTC as monthly payments last year (typically half of the total IRS estimated credit amount) can still file for the remainder of their CTC. Those who did not receive monthly payments can still receive the full credit amount.

Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)

To save households even more, the Biden-Harris Administration secured commitments from leading internet providers to offer ACP-eligible high-speed internet plans that are fully covered. As a result, millions of households can get free, high-speed internet. In May, the White House launched GetInternet.gov — a one-stop shop to check eligibility, sign up, and find fully covered plans. This site is also available in Spanish at AccedeAInternet.gov. The same information is available by phone in English and Spanish by calling (877) 384-2575.